RANGOON — Prominent political activists from the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society told reporters that they would contest the 2020 elections following the establishment of a new political party in early 2018.
“We aim to run in the 2020 election,” said U Min Zeyar, at a press conference at the Royal Rose Restaurant on Thursday.
Well-known activists U Ko Ko Gyi, U Min Zeyar and U Mya Aye of the 88 Generation Peace and Open society along with former leader of the Democratic Party for a New Society U Thet Tun joined the event.
The conference focused on a stakeholder’s consultation for founding a new political party, to be held on March 30-31 in the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry building.
Reporters asked the activists if they had selected a party name, policies, principles or party structure. U Min Zeyar said they would collect recommendations from local and exiled experts.
U Thet Tun said leading committee members had a preference for the party name but that it would not include “88” as that terminology belongs to every citizen.
He added that the activists had discussed placing the public interest at the forefront of party policy.
“I think we will be able to release detailed policies after party registration,” said U Thet Tun.
The press conference participants did not say whether they would oppose the National League for Democracy Party, and instead said the term opposition was negative and that they would not run against but collaborate with other parties as the situation called for.
Some 88 Generation Peace and Open Society Members like U Min Ko Naing and U Jimmy have distanced themselves from the formation of the new party, but will continue their work through the civil society organization.
U Ko Ko Gyi clarified that the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society was not setting up a political party and that it was two separate entities.
Press conference attendee U Aung Naing Oo said he welcomed the new party, as Parliament needs a robust range of parties for checks and balances.
